The Sabina region, nature, the paths that wind along the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) trails, outdoor activities and Sabine religious cults: many of the characteristic features of this territory enclosed in just one place. The Hermitage of San Leonardo is located in Roccantica, in the province of Rieti, halfway up the Hermitage Path that leads to another famous sacred location in the area, San Michele al Tancia.
The Hermitage of San Leonardo rises in the heart of wild nature. Even today, it appears coherent with the surrounding environment, in a truly suggestive backdrop. A forest surrounded by rocky walls and crystal clear springs. This is what you will find when you venture to discover this mystical place.
Excavated in the bare stone, without tinsel, with spartan windows and walls that divided very small rooms: at the entrance you’ll notice the fragments of frescoes, which reveal the polychrome and mastery of the artist, attributed to Jacopo da Roccantica and others with respect to its foundation, dating back to 1450 – the subjects were San Leonardo and Santa Caterina da Alessandria.
Housed in a small cave near the altar, popular devotion leaves traces of the passage of the faithful; some leave a rosary, others a stone, a feather, even holy pictures. Here, a small pool of water opens up which, almost mysteriously, consistently remains at the same level, fuelling its fame as miraculous water. The constant sound of the droplet falling is practically the only noise that can be perceived. Steps lead to what was apparently the hermit’s chamber, with a small oven and a small window overlooking the waterfalls below.
The ceiling, the walls, as mentioned of the water pool by the altar, trickle with water. The soil here is karstic, and this is even more evident in the nearby Revotano, a sinkhole, a drop that looks like a swallowed up hill, or rather turned upside down. This continuous mixture of land and water, which creates these phenomena can be seen in the Galantina stream and in the waterfalls that flow a little further downstream from the Hermitage. It is certainly not hard to imagine what this place must have been like in medieval times, with the sound of flowing water and the sky that enters through the windows without shutters.
How to get to the San Leonardo Hermitage
Depart from the Sabino village of Roccantica. You can leave your car at the Church of San Valentino in the town’s main square. It’s the square with the turret and the clock, you can’t go wrong!
Take the road to the left of the bell tower and from there continue on to a small stretch where you will find the arrow sign “San Leonardo” which indicates the beginning of the path. From here, continue to follow the typical white and red CAI signs that you will find on the trees or on the boulders on the ground and that will be your guide through the woods, along with other arrows that clearly indicate the path.
The entire route, round trip, is roughly 7 km with a difference in height +/- 300 metres.
A maximum time of roughly 1 hour should be taken into consideration for the outward walk and another hour to get back.
The path is definitely within everyone’s reach, however hiking boots are recommended particularly in a couple of points where the path appears slightly steeper.
From the Hermitage you can continue down towards the Galantina stream to the remains of the ancient mill that served this area, also clearly indicated by the signs and arrows. You can also combine the visit to the San Leonardo hermitage with that of San Michele al Tancia, considering a longer overall route, a round trip of about 20 km.
Free climbing in Roccantica
For lovers of free climbing, the San Leonardo Hermitage is an equipped cliff. Today, when visitors overlook the Hermitage, it is not uncommon for them to see someone dedicated to rock climbing.
The climbing routes – roughly 15 – are classified from 5c to 7a. A cliff, therefore, that is rather technical, yet it can give many satisfactions for experienced climbers. With regard to sunlight exposure, keep in mind that the Hermitage is in the sun from late morning to late afternoon, this is why a visit is not recommended especially during the summer months.
You’ll also find a second cliff in Roccantica, the best known of the two, which can be reached by going up by car to the mountain behind the village (reference Via Marta Robbio Tacci) and then a 5-minute walk from the point where you have to leave your car.
Roccantica is just under half an hour by car from Cicignano.
